Bristol Airport has confirmed four new food and drink operators for its enlarged departure lounge, as work continues on a major redevelopment of the site. The additions — Bill’s, Cosy Club, wagamama and Tap + Brew — are scheduled to open between early summer and autumn 2027 as part of the airport’s £400 million transformation programme.
Local names and national chains join the line-up
Airport retail director Kate Gwyther said the new outlets will provide a broader range of choices for customers with different tastes, dietary needs and budgets.
“We’re delighted to welcome these exciting and much-loved restaurants to Bristol Airport. We’re on a mission to offer our customers some really great options to suit their tastebuds, dietary requirements, time and pocket.”
The new food and beverage mix brings together national brands and a concept with strong Bristol roots. Cosy Club, part of Loungers Group, began in the city when the founders opened their first Lounge on North Street in 2002; its arrival will mark the brand’s first airport site. The airport says Cosy Club’s airport menu will feature breakfasts, small plates and dishes using West Country suppliers such as Baker Tom of Cornwall and Philip Warren Butchers.
Operators and timings confirmed so far are:
- Avolta will run Bill’s, opening in early summer 2027; the all-day menu includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Coeliac UK-approved gluten-free options.
- TRG Concessions will operate both Cosy Club and wagamama, with both due to open in summer 2027.
- SSP UK & Ireland will bring Tap + Brew in autumn 2027, featuring craft beer and cider along with a food menu aimed at groups and solo travellers.
The wagamama site is set to include the chain’s familiar communal benches and open kitchen, offering ramen, curries and bao buns as well as breakfast, children’s and vegan options. Tap + Brew will spotlight local beer, serving craft lines from Bristol brewer Wiper & True alongside other seasonal and low‑alcohol drinks; the outlet will also offer staples such as fish and chips, burgers, nachos and breakfasts, and is described as featuring copper tanks and locally inspired art.
What it means for travellers and the city
For passengers, the new outlets aim to broaden dining choice and speed up service in a departure area set to feel more welcoming after the redevelopment. For Bristol’s hospitality sector and suppliers, the presence of locally linked outlets offers additional demand for West Country produce and profiling for home-grown businesses on a national platform.
The airport’s programme is a long-term project that has already drawn attention for its scale. While the new restaurants form only part of the wider retail and dining overhaul, their staggered openings through 2027 will test customer appetite for a revamped, more diverse departure experience.
| Restaurant | Operator | Planned opening | Key offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill’s | Avolta | Early summer 2027 | All‑day dining; gluten‑free options |
| Cosy Club | TRG Concessions (Loungers Group brand) | Summer 2027 | Breakfasts, small plates; West Country suppliers |
| wagamama | TRG Concessions | Summer 2027 | Ramen, curries, bao; breakfast & vegan options |
| Tap + Brew | SSP UK & Ireland | Autumn 2027 | Craft beer & cider; casual bar food |
Airport leaders say the new restaurants are only the beginning of a broader upgrade that will reshape the retail and dining offer in the departure lounge. For travellers familiar with the current facilities, the changes are intended to create a more comfortable and varied pre‑flight experience.
Local food and drink suppliers named in the airport’s announcements include familiar West Country businesses, underlining an effort to showcase regional produce as part of the refreshed hospitality offering. As openings approach, staff recruitment and supplier agreements will become key to translating the planned concepts into day‑to‑day operations.
For Bristol residents, the project represents both a civic investment and a commercial bet on attracting more customers through improved amenities. The full transformation, which is being rolled out over a number of years, will determine whether the airport’s upgraded hospitality offering lifts the city’s gateway to the standards passengers now expect.
